Technique for controlling the cement for an implant crown.

The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry Londono and Marafie Wadhwani and Piñeyro Cementation of an implant prosthesis is an accepted protocol. Less demanding surgical placement of the implant, simpler laboratory techniques, passive fit, esthetics, and control of the occlusion are among some of the advantages.1 However, disadvantages include unpredictable retention and resistance and the detrimental effect of cement flow into the soft tissues that can be difficult to remove. The soft tissue attachment onto the implant surface is more delicate than that seen at the natural tooth surface due to the lack of Sharpey fiber insertion, the reduced number of collagen fibers, and the direction in which these fibers run.2 Cement extrusion into the sulcular area may result in soft tissue swelling, soreness, and bleeding or exudation on probing.3 In some instances, the excess cement has been considered to be the cause of implant failure.4 Removal of excess cement with plastic and metal scalers may result in scratches and gouges on the implant surfaces.5 Control of cement volume has been documented previously using the ITI solid abutment (Straumann USA, Andover, Mass).6 This requires an implant analog or practice abutment, as described by the authors.6 When a custom abutment is to be used under the crown, this becomes more challenging. The dental laboratory may be instructed to make a duplicate analog using an acrylic resin, but this is time consuming for the technician and involves additional laboratory costs. Technique for controlling the cement for an implant crown